The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-14
TOOK THE OLD LADY.
Il n Incident That Could Never Happen Out
side of Classic Rnston.

MIR. DOOlltt!e called in POrtcheste-
square and asked for Miss Elizabeth
Bradish- Down she tripped into the
long drawing-room, which was rather
bare and shabby, it is true, and
adorned with 4 profusion of amateur
paintings in oil that set ones teeth on
edge. But Elizabeth was in herself so
beautiful and bewitching that her sur
i rOundings were forgotten. She was a
thing of beauty and a joy forever. and
SO thought the infatuated James us he
sat down beside her on the faded green
rep sofa and gently broached the ali
exciting topic of Patti and the opera.
He cleared his throat, and after an
embarrassing pause. began:
Have you ever heard Patti sing,
Miss Elizabeth?'
"Why. no. can't say 1 have. e1-
actly." replied the charmer, with an
arch smile. I'm not millionaire. l
have seen her picture, and have her
autograph in my album. but that is
probably as far as 1 shall ever get in
Ile L dlIl question. NnN?
because, said Mr.. Doolittle, slowly
and cautiously. Because l have got
two tickets for Thursday night, and if
you'd like to 60"
There was a shrek of delight, and
the red slippers twinkled a. tLeir owner
pranced round and round the room in
q whirl of pleasure.
go? OF course I'll 60" she cried.
"When does it begin? What tine will
you come for me? What shall wear?
What is the opera? 'Semiramide?' o.
how delightfulr' ~
And she was so enchanting in the ra-
dance of anticipation during the rest
OF the evening that Mr.. Doolittle's heart
became battered wreck. and he went
away at eleven o'clock more madly in
love than ever, longing desperately for
the evening to come which should bring
about the plighting of her troth.
At last. after long waiting, it did
come in very truth. At 1880 a carriage
and pair drove up before the Bradish
postern, ard from it alighted gallant
cavalier. resplendent in the glories of
dress suit, a covert coat, gigantic
cane and Piccadilly tile. One superb
orchid bloomed in his button hole, and
in his right hand, which was ungloved,
he bore huge bunch of Jacqueminot
roses. to be presently offered at the
shrine of his devotion. There were
heads at many of the windows of the
adjoining houses. for every one in the
neighborhoOd had learned in some mys-
terious way that Elizabeth was going
to the opera with her beau, and if he
had not been too much absorbed in his
own pleasant thoughts he might have
seen blonde bang and pair of blue
eyes regarding him with much feeling
from overhead, as he stood on the steps
ringing violently at the bell.
The dingy maid of all work flung
wide the poctal and he entered in. He
stood by the piano lingering the roses
and turning over in his mind the sim
pie sentences in which he designed to
offer her his heart and hand. For two,
three long hours he would have her by
his side and alone, and if that would
not be an opportunity for n lover, what
would? AT length there was 4 rustling
as of feminine petticoats upon the stairs,
and the heart that had caused poor
James such delicious tOrments already,
thumped loudly at his ribs.
"She CONES, my lady comes" he muir
INJURED in a rapture, and stepped for
ward to greet the radiant vision.
The old lady tall and angular. in a
BLACK bombazine shawl and an anti
quatcd bonnet, Stood there, struggling
with her gloves, that hoasted single
baton. There was 40 sign of Miss
Bradish.
''Be you MIR. Doolittle?" said the
stranger presently, in a rasping voice,
as she regarded that gentleman's brill
liant array somewhat crriously.
Il am." said he curtly. where's
Elizabeth? Isn't she ready? It's time
now we were of"
Iuc
playing a row af porcelain teeth.
Elizabeth amt going" said she.
"She's got an awful cold. and her ma
thinks best she shouldn't go out, and
Li4abeth said she wanted | should 90
in her place as I've never seen any
opery. I'm her Aunt Mirandy, from
Kennebunk."
The poor fellow actually staggered.
He flung the roses on the floor and
Legan to utter curses as loud as they
were deep, when he saw that Aunt
Mirandy had opened the door and was
already half WAY down the front steps.
With bound, he was at her side. He
saw all the laughing faces of the neigh
bors at the windows, clearly enough
now, and his first impulse was to drag
the poke bonnet and the bombazine
shawl down to the sidewalk and trample
them under foot. But he set his teeth
in a grim determination and got into
the carriage after her.
Where top said the driver, Slam
ming the door.
Ito the deuce" answered Mr.. DOo-
little ferccly, and. in a milder tone, as
Aunt Mirandy looked terrified, he said,
''To the Boston Theater"
Let us draw Il veil over the hideous
sulferings which he underwent during
the rest of the evening, and merely add
that. when he had once seated his COM
panion in one of the six dollar seats. he